As I work on recovering from a serious illness, writing has fallen by the wayside… once again. I’m spending a lot of time just resting.

This year we got our tree the day after Thanksgiving–– a first in this house! All but my daughter were home, and they would all be gone for the weeks after Thanksgiving and leading up to Christmas. Extra special, my niece, who had never had a Christmas tree (she’s Jewish), and another nephew, were both visiting. So there was a full house, as we picked our tree and the decorated it. Diana Krall was playing, just like in this piece… but this year, I feel no sadness, no sense of loss. My kids are where they are; they can’t be home each year. My mother has been gone for 6 years now. I am adjusting to the passage of time, and the changes that come. But I still sit in the living room, alone by the Christmas tree, and remember.

Tonight we finally decorated our tree. I wanted to do it a week+ ago, but Smart Guy was visiting our daughter in Israel and Middle Man is off at college. Neither Little Man or I wanted to decorate the tree without them; it’s a family event. Middle Man let us know that he won’t be home until the 24th (who decorates their tree one day before Christmas?), and it took a few days for Smart Guy to get a little beyond his jet lag and get off work early enough to help. In a perfect world, all of my children are home; carols are on the stereo, and we decorate the tree together. However, as my children grow up… I have to re-examine “perfect.”

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About Dawn Quyle Landau

Mother, Writer, treasure hunter, aging red head, and sushi lover. This is my view on life, "Straight up, with a twist––" because life is too short to be subtle! Featured blogger for Huffington Post, and followed on Twitter by LeBron James– for reasons beyond my comprehension.

8 Responses to Christmas Tripping

Christmas takes us down memory lane, that’s for sure. With one son in college and the other in high school, I feel the nostalgia all the more this year. Sometimes it makes me happy, sometimes sad, and it’s pretty much always bittersweet.

It’s such an adjustment to see that first child off into the world… and then, we do it again with our other children. There are new bonds forged as you find yourself home alone with the youngest. He grows up a bit, and then he’s off too. In my case, I’m lucky if any of them are home to decorate a tree anymore. This year, as we all gathered and unwrapped the ornaments, I realized that this year is probably the last time we will all do this together–– it was a fluke, and I made the most of it, but it was indeed bitter sweet, as that reality set in. Enjoy all the traditions and holidays you get with your boys, Carrie. They are so very special and precious! A very happy Christmas to you and yours! xo

Well, when I grew up we never, ever, decorated the Christmas tree before 23 december – note that here in Sweden we celebrates Chrismas on the 24th… Christmaseve=julafton and the 23th=lille julafton meaning sort of little Christmas. Now people are decorating a lot earlier in december. I don’t even have a Christmastree – the cat I have now would be all over in and nothing would be were i should…
My your Christmas be peacefull and nice ❤

Laila, what a lovely tradition. Seems traditions change all over the world! I know that this year was probably the last time we’ll all pull this off, and be together to buy and decorate our tree. I think I’ve made peace with that… I guess time will tell! A very happy Christmas to you and those you love. ❤

I’m sorry you’re sick, but glad to hear you’re resting. Very much enjoyed your repost. I’m so off my game this year. Going through an intense type of spiritual awakening that is rewiring my brain/ consciousness. Months of really challenging times.

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Mother, Writer, treasure hunter, aging red head, and sushi lover. This is my view on life, "Straight up, with a twist––" because life is too short to be subtle! Featured blogger for Huffington Post, and followed on Twitter by LeBron James– for reasons beyond my comprehension.